Kanzenshuu - The Podcast

Episode #0288! VegettoEX and Julian catch up on a thankful lack of news before Herms pops in for a Dr. Slump primer. Who are the characters that show up during the Red Ribbon arc crossover, and is it possible to reconcile some of the plot holes and continuity errors introduced to put Dr. Slump and DragonBall in the same universe?

Episode #0287! VegettoEX, Meri, and Hujio discuss the unexpected suspension of FUNimation's HD restoration work on the DBZ TV series. Within a six month period the project was announced, heavily hyped, saw two releases, and was unceremoniously killed off. What exactly just happened...? Our in-depth analysis and your thoughts take us through the episode!

Episode #0286! VegettoEX and Julian check in on the two major cover songs from 2011 (a version of "We Gotta Power!" by Tokyo Future Boys and a version of "Boku-tachi wa Tenshi Datta" by Sasaki Sayaka with a little help from Hironobu Kageyama). Do either of them stand up to some of the other great cover songs we have had in recent years, or are they both just a little too safe? A little bit of DBGT follow-up and the mass delusional cover-ups of the Dragon World human race round out the episode.

Episode #0285! VegettoEX, Meri, and Hujio discuss a short scene from DragonBall TV episode 56 that essentially paints General Blue as a pedophile. Was this just a poor attempt at humor that fell flat, or is it worthy of additional analysis and condemnation? New merchandise in Brazil, the launch of DBGT on Nicktoons (the kids will be OK, we promise), and more rounds out the episode.

Episode #0284! VegettoEX, Meri, and Jeff dive into our second "DragonBall GT Review of Awesomeness" with episodes 6-10. After some brief battling, we are back to exploration and adventure with a little bit of dancing thrown in for good measure. Are the whimsical episodes enough to propel us through some early foreshadowing, or has the writing already taken a dive? News about the upcoming Saikyo Jump bonus DVD, the winter release season, and a whole lot more rounds out the episode.

Episode #0283! VegettoEX, Meri, and Julian ring in the new year with a look back at the past twelve months. None of us could have predicted what 2011 would bring us: a music fiasco with "DragonBall Kai", a new Blu-ray transfer from FUNimation, an all-out Bardock media assault, and so much more. How did our predictions from last year turn out in light of all these major stories, and what do we (and you!) think is on tap for 2012? Here's to 14 years of Daizenshuu EX, and another gazillion more with our favorite franchise!

Episode #0282! VegettoEX, Meri, and Hujio review the anime adaptation of "Episode of Bardock" from Jump Festa 2011. How does it differ from Naho Ooishi's original V-Jump manga version, and does it stand up on its own as an enjoyable feature? "Ultimate Blast" Japanese launch details, new cover songs, and your thoughts on "Episode of Bardock" round out the episode!

Episode #0281! VegettoEX and Hujio cover a tiny bit of hilarious-yet-confusing Korean political forecast news (yes, all based around DragonBall) before diving into an endless ocean of listener questions. From deserted islands to mysterious Blu-rays, from name pronunciations to new fans, and from new web series to old doujinshi, we cover just about everything there possibly is to ask with this franchise.

Episode #0280! VegettoEX and Julian follow-up on a good bit of "DragonBall GT" review material before moving on to an episode of "SMAP x SMAP" in Japan that highlighted the theme songs to the first "DragonBall" TV series with its original performers. The main audio portion of our Anime USA panel, an updated version of "10 Things You Didn't Know About DragonBall", takes center stage for our topic, with December's releases and your questions wrapping things up!

Episode #0279! VegettoEX, Meri, Jeff, and Kaboom dive in to our first DragonBall GT Review of Awesomeness! With the manga review complete, it is time to take a grand tour into a manga-less story. Just how involved was original author Akira Toriyama, does Toei set the stage well with how he left the characters, and just how interested are we to see where this story is heading? Big news about online streaming and the upcoming "Episode of Bardock" anime adaptation, the announcement of our Blu-ray contest winner, and your thoughts on DBGT round out the episode!

Episode #0278! VegettoEX and Hujio dive in to "Level 1.1", the first Blu-ray release of the non-Kai-ified DBZ TV series from FUNimation. Does the timing of this release make any sense, and is it a worthwhile purchase, especially for fans of a series with so many sequential "definitive" versions? Listener thoughts on "Ultimate Tenkaichi", and a reminder about our Anime USA plans wrap up the episode!

Episode #0277! VegettoEX, Dustin, and Joe dive in to "Ultimate Tenkaichi", the latest fighting game for the franchise. Spike is back for a third round on the PS3 and 360, but they are switching things up more than ever before. Is this a fighting game, or is it actually just a glorified guessing game? Hujio pops in for the news and loaded November and December releases period, and that is a show!

Episode #0276! VegettoEX and Herms break down everything demonic in the Dragon World! From demons to Dracula, from ghouls to ghosts, from phantasms to fantastic puns, anything and everything having to do with opposing the progress of humanity in the series is broken down. Where do these words and classifications come from in the first place, and how does Toriyama play with them to create such an interesting world and extended universe in our favorite franchise?

Episode #0275! VegettoEX and Hujio break down some of the big news going around the world: Blu-rays are coming and starting to get some promotion, FUNimation tosses an extra bone on the final DBZ Dragon Box, the Kenji Yamamoto fallout continues in the strangest places, and international "Kai" updates!

Episode #0274! VegettoEX, Julian, Meri, and Jeff dive into the 42nd and final "Manga Review of Awesomeness". After more than four years, we have made our way to the final volume of the series. Does Toriyama pull out all the stops for the conclusion of his ultimate work, or is it just another volume in the series? Our own thoughts on the recurring segment, tons of thoughts from the audience, and our grand plans for post-manga reviews wrap up the episode!

Episode #0273! VegettoEX and Meri, in light of what appears to be a fantastic opening to "Ultimate Blast" due out this month, take a look back at all of the major video game openings the franchise has received over the years. From the 32-bit generation up through today, there have been a lot of highs and lows. Are the classic ones still the best of all time? A surprise return of the Top 5 list reveals what Meri considers the lousiest video game openings!

Episode #0272! VegettoEX and Herms dissect the history of the Saiyan race. From the manga to the TV series to the guide books to the various other adaptations and reference materials, what is said about where the come from and how they evolved? What types of plot holes are created, fixed, and then broken all over again by the increased amount of information tossed out there? Does any "fact" stay consistent throughout the entire series at all?

Episode #0271! VegettoEX and Julian review "Episode of Bardock", the three-chapter spin-off manga by Naho Ooishi published in V-Jump this summer. Penned as a sequel to the Bardock TV special, Ooishi gets a little more of a chance to shine with a quasi-original story as opposed to her usual retreads. Is this the true legend of the Super Saiyan that we have all been curious about for so many decades, or is it just another fluff piece of media that we can all casually pass over without missing much?

Episode #0270! VegettoEX, Meri, and Hujio review the final "DragonBall Kai" home release in Japan, and particularly the unaired "Episode 98". We also take a look at the Bardock and Trunks TV Special DVD release, which includes bonus production sketches, as well as "DragonBall Heroes" commercials and promos. A fast-flying fury of your questions rounds out the show!

Episode #0269! VegettoEX, Meri, Julian, and Jeff all dive in to Volume 41 in our "Manga Review of Awesomeness". With just two volumes left to go in the series, these chapters are jam-packed with all sorts of transformations, hero swap-outs, and even still a bit of character development! Is Toriyama's whimsy still at its best, or are we about ready to close the book on this series?